$30 Million Settlement in SE Minnesota Clergy Abuse Cases

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Twin Cities law firm known nationally for representing victims of clergy sexual abuse today announced a settlement with an insurance company that had refused to participate in previous settlements involving the Catholic Diocese of Diocese of Winona-Rochester

New Settlement Involves 145 Clergy Abuse Survivors

A news release issued by Jeff Anderson & Associates says U.S. Fire Insurance has agreed to a $30 million settlement that will benefit 145 victims of clergy sexual abuse. The cases were included in a previous $28 million settlement with the diocese in 2021 that covered the church and two of its insurers.

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Insurance Company Had Declined Earlier Settlements

“U.S. Fire Insurance denied, delayed, and for business reasons, chose to oppress survivors in bringing closure and making settlements. U.S. Fire and the entire insurance industry is now required to reckon in a way like never before.” – Jeff Anderson

Three Abuse Cases Went to Trial in 2025

The law firm notes that the settlement was reached after three sexual abuse cases went to trial in southeastern Minnesota last year and resulted verdicts awarding millions of dollars in damages against the Diocese of Winona.

Two Cases Involved Lourdes High School

Two of the sexual abuse cases involved allegations against Father Joseph Cashman and students at Lourdes High School in Rochester in the 1970s. One of the victims was awarded $7.6 million in damages, and the other was awarded $4.8 million in damages in trials that were held in Olmsted County Court last year.

The news release says the third case resulted in a $4.5 million verdict and involved a lay volunteer known as “Brother Gene,” who was accused of sexually abusing a juvenile boy at St. Mary's Parish and School in Winona in the early 1970s.